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Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, E/CN.4/2005/101, December 13, 2004 – Ecuador

94. The majority of cases concerned threats at gunpoint, beatings and threats by phone. Reports indicate that attacks occurred after defenders voiced public criticism, in particular regarding free trade and private contractual agreements to extract oil on alleged indigenous territory. In a few instances, the use of torture or other ill- treatment was reported in connection with defenders working on the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. In many cases the perpetrators were not identified, but the police were reportedly involved in a few cases, notably those relating to defenders of gay rights.

link to the full text of the Report: Report-SR Human Rights Defenders-2004-12